# World Cup 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 7, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615 "2018-06-07T18:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 79
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1562 "2018-07-07T20:40:07Z")
The Russian squad’s fitness levels are very good. Exceptionally so. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1563 "2018-07-07T20:41:36Z")
According to 538, England is a 2:1 favorite against Russia and a 55:45 favorite against Croatia. They have the other side at basically a coin flip, with France slightly favored at 52:48. Winner of France/Belgium is slightly favored to win the final unless Russia gets in, in which case they’re strong favorites at better than 2:1. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1564 "2018-07-07T20:42:33Z")
Bet Russia wins this. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1565 "2018-07-07T20:44:58Z")
Trash penalty. Come on Croatia, put the pressure on. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1566 "2018-07-07T20:44:59Z")
Not with a start like that. Terrible first attempt. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1567 "2018-07-07T20:45:49Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > You mean highest number of matches that ended in PK shots after 120 minutes, or the higher score ever in a PK shootout in a World Cup? Most matches with PKs in a World Cup; looks like 4. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1568 "2018-07-07T20:46:34Z")
And now Croatia botches. Are we sure this World Cup isn’t scripted? Wow. In the spirit of the Bills, is that wide left or wide right? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1569 "2018-07-07T20:47:30Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The Russian squad’s fitness levels are very good. Exceptionally so. Well, Russians are known for juicing… ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1570 "2018-07-07T20:48:29Z")
Holy shit. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1571 "2018-07-07T20:49:17Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > According to 538, England is a 2:1 favorite against Russia and a 55:45 favorite against Croatia. They have the other side at basically a coin flip, with France slightly favored at 52:48. Winner of France/Belgium is slightly favored to win the final unless Russia gets in, in which case they’re strong favorites at better than 2:1. Is there a rivalry between ENG-FRA like that between ENG-GER? (Although I understand some Germans think the ENG-GER rivalry is entirely in English heads alone because Germany’s too good for England or something) ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1572 "2018-07-07T20:51:27Z")
Two terrible kicks from the Russians, and a damn lucky bounce for Croatia. I’d be feeling pretty confident if I was England at this point. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1573 "2018-07-07T20:51:44Z")
Croatia to the semifinals! ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1574 "2018-07-07T20:52:43Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Is there a rivalry between ENG-FRA like that between ENG-GER? (Although I understand some Germans think the ENG-GER rivalry is entirely in English heads alone because Germany’s too good for England or something) I’m not well versed in it, but Germany has had significantly more success than England so I don’t know if that attitude would be unwarranted. Croatia through. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1575 "2018-07-07T20:53:17Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Is there a rivalry between ENG-FRA like that between ENG-GER? (Although I understand some Germans think the ENG-GER rivalry is entirely in English heads alone because Germany’s too good for England or something) No there’s no real history between any of the teams left in. Those odds mentioned seem about right to me. I’d rank them as Belgium France England Croatia but really who knows? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1576 "2018-07-07T20:54:58Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > No there’s no real history between any of the teams left in. > Those odds mentioned seem about right to me. I’d rank them as > > Belgium > France > England > Croatia > > but really who knows? Yep. It’s a toss up. Its good for the neutrals and good for the game to let some new blood through. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1577 "2018-07-07T20:55:18Z")
Would be befitting for Southgate’s team to win the World Cup final on PKs. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1578 "2018-07-07T20:56:58Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Would be befitting for Southgate’s team to win the World Cup final on PKs. Please not another Brazil v Italy 94 or a France v Italy head butt match. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1579 "2018-07-07T20:57:44Z")
Russia shows what teamspirit and determination can do. Good game. Croatia will go far. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1580 "2018-07-07T20:58:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > No there’s no real history between any of the teams left in. > Those odds mentioned seem about right to me. I’d rank them as > > Belgium > France > England > Croatia > > but really who knows? I’d switch France and Belgium, but agree otherwise. This cup should be France’s now, But WTF do I know? I think Belgium missing Meurnier for this one will be big. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1581 "2018-07-07T20:59:22Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > Russia shows what teamspirit and determination can do. Good game. > Croatia will go far. Team spirit or the fear of the Gulag. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=78) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=80)